For the canon variant of this mission, see Ice Bound.
- "All of those ships destroyed in an instant... Such destructive power ..."
- ― Eugene Solano
The Midnight Sun is a campaign mission in Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception. This mission is available as long as the player does not play Rolling Thunder; playing it causes the Gleipnir to move to Santa Elva, and Ice Bound will be available instead. The player must destroy the Gleipnir's stealth system and then destroy its SWBM launchers.
Briefing[]
Eugene Solano: The Gleipnir is now positioned above Terminus Island. It is using it as a resuply base, and as a staging point for long range attacks against Stand Canyon. The troops stranded at Stand Canyon are vital for the upcoming assault on Santa Elva, but they're pinned down as long as the Glepnir's attacks are allowed to continue. Something must be done, and soon.
Analysis of the SWBM attack has shown that the blast of the missile dissipates before reaching ground level. Hoping to unitlize this weakness, the remaining Aurelian fleet has gathered for a counter assault on the airborne fortress. We have been informed that the assault will begin as soon as we are ready. How shall we proceed, sir?"
Objectives[]
Initial[]
The mission's first objective is to destroy the Gleipnir's stealth system before it destroys the allied fleet. Damage suffered by the fleet is displayed on the Multi-Purpose Gauge; if the gauge is filled up, the mission will end in failure. Several fighters are present or will appear in the area, but their destruction is optional.
Mission Update[]
After the Gleipnir's stealth system is destroyed, it will try to climb to an attitude out of the player's range; the player must destroy the Gleipnir's SWBM launchers before that happens. The Gleipnir's attitude displayed on the Multi-Purpose Gauge; if the gauge is filled up, the mission will end in failure.
The Gleipnir is protected by its AA GUNs and any fighters that were not destroyed during the previous objective. In addition it will also launch SWBMs in an attempt to destroy the player, which can be evaded by flying lower than the Gleipnir. The player will complete the mission once all SWBM launchers are destroyed.
Enemy Lists[]
Standard Units[]
- Enemy list may not be complete.
| Section | Unit | Points | Count | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | 
|
Gleipnir | 2000 | 1 | |
|
Su-27 | 360 | 5 | ||
|
|
F-14D | 460 | 3 | ||
|
|
F-4E | 280 | 4 | ||
| Mission Update |
|
SWBM | 250 | 8 | |
|
|
GUN | 150 | 4 |
Special Units[]
| Unit | Points | Minimum Difficulty |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
★CONT.SHIP | 160 | Easy | Unlocks Raven when destroyed. |
|
|
F-5E "GHOST" | 480 | Normal | [note 1] |
S Rank[]
An S-Rank can be achieved by earning a minimum of 8,000 points.[2]
Debriefing[]
Eugene Solano: We've succeeded in destroying the Gleipnir's SWBM. The surrounding area is no longer in any danger. Unfortunately, the Gleipnir escaped, but this victory has given us hope. I'm starting to feel like retaking Santa Elva is fastly[sic] becoming a reality.